Page 29 of Sumanika

“Ranaji.” Suddenly, her voice caught my attention, and I looked up, noticing her bringing a plate with a few attendees.

My smile faded as she knelt by the table, plating lunch.

“Have you eaten yet?” Bhaisa asked, and I shook my head, gazing at him.

“Suman, make one for Agastya as well,” he instructed. She replied,“Ji, Ranaji.”

“I…don’t want to, Bhaisa. Actually…” I cleared my throat.“I need to work on something,” I said, trying to avoid looking at her.

A strange ache built in my chest as I watched her.

Bhaisa stopped me and said,“No, eat first.”

I gulped, unknowingly being pulled by her presence. Faded marks and two bangles razed her wrist. She didn’t look at me.

“And how is Rashmika?” Bhaisa’s voice broke my thoughts.

I briefly closed my eyes and replied,“She’s good,” while looking at him.

“I heard you didn’t spendGangaurwith her,” he said, and I smiled, shaking my head.“I wanted to, I really did, but I couldn’t return from the temple on time.” It was a half-truth.

“Oh! Why don’t you invite her to Nandani’s baby shower? That way, you’ll spend more time together. Because, no matter what, she will be your wife,” he said, staring into my eyes. His words held authority.

“Of course, my wife,” I laughed abruptly, looking away from him.

Suman placed a diced onion and a bowl of jaggery on my plate. My heart sank. A thousand people inhabited the Kingdom, and nobody knew what I liked to eat.

“Thank you,” I muttered, pulling it closer to me. Rudra Bhaisa began speaking.

She left without responding.

I couldn’t eat a single bite, knowing I could do something for her, and I wasn’t doing it.

I wanted to see her smile, if not much, then at least how she used to do before that incident. It wasn’t like I had seen her, but I had noticed.

After having a few bites, I took leave from Rudra Bhaisa and returned to my chamber.

I was happy about the celebration, but a celebration only meant hectic days for her.

Our life as the royals was easy; we could command, but she had to work with her hands, listen to, and be answerable for certain things.

I understood it was her job, but she was mine now.

No!

She wasn’t.

Still, why was I feeling strange and bothered by her presence and absence if she wasn’t?

For the entire day, I focused solely on decorations and the upcoming event in the Kingdom. After finishing with the Kingdom’s exterior, halls, galleries, and gardens, I finally arrived at Rudra Bhaisa and Nandani Bhabhisa’s chamber.

I wasn’t eager to go in. I knew that if I did, I would end up confronting her. Yet, I had no choice.

I couldn’t ignore Bhaisa’s words.

Only a day remained before the baby shower, and close relatives, especially Nandani Bhabhisa’s family, had already arrived. When I reached their chamber, I saw everyone seated in the meeting area with Nandani Bhabhisa. I smiled before greeting them.

“Pranam,Daadisa.” I first greeted Bhabhisa’s grandmother, followed by her mother, Trisha, and Abhinandan. I couldn’t forget their warm hospitality when I first met them during Holi after Rudra Bhaisa and Nandani Bhabhisa’s wedding.

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